How to register your online business in South Africa
Where do I register my small business?
You can register your company online on the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) website, or on the Bizportal.gov.za website, a platform created by the CIPC that offers company registration and related services.
You can also register your company via a bank, including Nedbank and First National Bank.
[UPDATE] Another way to register your business is to outsource the admin to businesses that have the expertise to offer company registration services and related services. Many of them provide packaged services that include company registration and related services such as SARS consulting, labour registrations, CIDB registration, and upgrades, tax returns/ compliance, or accounting services. Read more here
If you would like to speak to a professional to guide you through the process of registering your business, you can join Startwise. Startwise is an online consulting platform built exclusively for South African SME’s to have access to experts in their fields to guide you on all aspects of starting your own business.
What is the CIPC and what does the law say?
The Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO) was replaced by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) in May 2011, together with the New Companies Act, the act changed the way business owners had to register their companies. The Act stipulates that no new close corporations (CC) can be registered, but those registered prior to 1 May could continue to operate as CCs.
All companies fall under specific categories with, each with specific requirements in terms of the documentation that is required. The Companies Act provides for two main categories of companies – non-profit and profit companies, with other types falling under these categories.
What types of companies can register with the CIPC?
You can choose to register your company as one of the following:
1. Non-profit companies: A company incorporated for public benefit or other object relating to one or more cultural or social activities, or communal or group interests.
2. Profit companies: A business/organisation whose primary goal is making money, this includes anything from retail stores to restaurants to insurance companies to real estate companies.
3. Personal liability companies: Company directors and past directors are jointly liable for any debts and liabilities arising during their periods in office. The company name ends with the word ‘incorporated’.
4. Public companies: A public company is one that has issued securities through an initial public offering (IPO) and is traded on at least one stock exchange. It has more than 50 shareholders and its shares are offered to the public.
5. Private companies: These are similar to what was previously known as close corporations. Some of the changes made to private companies include fewer disclosure and transparency requirements, no longer being limited to 50 shareholders, and with a board that must comprise at least one director. The name of a private company must end with the expression ‘Proprietary Limited’ or ‘(Pty) Ltd’.
How long does it take to register a company?
According to the Online PTY Registration, a name reservation takes between seven to 21 days. A company certificate can be registered within three to five days afterward, depending on whether you have submitted your documents on time, and the workload of the registrar’s office.
How many Directors are allowed in a company?
At least one director.
Can I register a company if I have been blacklisted?
Yes.
Can foreigners register a company in South Africa?
Yes. In order to do this, you need to provide a valid passport copy or RSA ID document and have a residential address in South Africa.
Am I allowed to register a company without a company name?
Yes. According to the CIPC, in terms of the Companies Act, 2008, a company may be registered with or without a company name. A company that is registered without a reserved name will still get a registration number, this will automatically become the company’s name.
CIPC says the company can transact with a trading (business) name or may apply to add a reserved name at a later stage. In this case, the company will need to first reserve a name and then apply for a name change.
How does the name reservation work?
The process: According to the CIPC, if your initial name reservation application is not approved, you will need to apply for new names. During each application process you may apply for up to four names during each application process.
The cost: Each name reservation application costs R50. A company registration may vary between R125 and R475 (R125 for a private company, R475 for a non-profit company registered without members).
Should I register my new small business for tax?
For every new business established, you are required to register with your local SARS office to obtain an income tax reference number. Registration must be done within 60 days after starting operations by completing an IT77 form, available at your local SARS office or from the SARS website.
Small businesses with a turnover of up to R1 million per annum will now be able to pay certain taxes (turnover tax, VAT and employees’ tax) twice instead of once a year, making the process more efficient for qualifying small business owners.
Turnover tax is a simplified tax system to make it easier for micro businesses to comply with their tax obligations. Turnover tax is worked out by applying a tax rate to the taxable turnover of a micro business. Depending on other factors such as turnover, payroll amounts, whether you are involved in imports and exports etc. you could also be liable to register for other taxes, duties, levies and contributions such as VAT, PAYE (Pay-as-you-earn) UIF contributions (unemployment insurance contributions).
Where can I apply for funding after registering my business?
According to the South African Government, you can apply for various types of funding which is available through the Industrial Development Corporation or the Department of Trade and Industry’s Government Investment Incentives. Besides government funding, you can also apply for funding from the private sector.
FULL GUIDE TO GOVERNMENT FUNDING AVAILABLE HERE
\SEE ALSO: Crowdfunding in South Africa
What support is available to me after I have registered my business?
The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) provides business development and support services for small enterprises. Seda will give you all the information you need to start a business, including how to write a business plan, and once you have a business, to grow it.
FIND OUT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START A BUSINESS IN SOUTH AFRICA HERE
SEE ALSO: Everything You Need To Know About Enterprise and Supplier Development In South Africa
[UPDATE: 20 September 2021]
Other Services You Can Apply for on the CIPC Portal
You can also apply for the following services on the Bizportal.gov.za portal: business bank accounts, tax registration, B-BBEE certificates, Compensation Fund and UIF registration, Company name changes, address changes, and Annual Returns (Turnover based). For the Annual Returns (Turnover based) you can pay from R100. The rest of the above services are free.
Here are 6 legal documents you may need to start your own business.
Should I register my company domain name as well?
In 2018, the .ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA), partnered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) to enable businesses to register their domain name and business name simultaneously.
Domain name registration should be part of your trademark protection process.
“It is highly critical for a business to secure its domain name as early as possible to prevent online brand identity theft. A domain name gives your business digital presence and accessibility moreover, it enables a business an online brand establishment,” said Angel Selebano, Communications and Awareness Coordinator at .ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA).
